Translation guide
Expresses the idea of doing one's utmost, trying hard, or sparing no effort. Japanese uses various set phrases and verbs to convey this, often with a nuance of earnest striving or exhaustive effort.
To express that someone is making a sincere, all-out effort to achieve something.
Adverb/noun meaning 'with all one's might' or 'very hard'. The most common and natural way to say 'making every effort' in daily conversation.
彼は一生懸命勉強している。
He is studying very hard.
一生懸命頑張ります。
I'll do my best.
Literally 'to exhaust one's full power'. A strong, natural expression for making every possible effort.
全力を尽くして戦います。
I will fight with all my might.
彼は問題解決に全力を尽くした。
He made every effort to solve the problem.
Means 'to spare no effort'. Emphasizes that one does not hold back in trying.
彼女は成功のために努力を惜しまなかった。
She spared no effort to succeed.
Literally 'to do everything one can'. A straightforward, natural way to say you're making every effort.
できる限りのことをして助けます。
I'll do everything I can to help.
Adverb meaning 'to the best of one's ability' or 'with all one's might'. Slightly more formal than 一生懸命.
精一杯努力します。
I will do my very best.
To emphasize that every possible method or avenue has been tried.
Means 'to exhaust every possible means'. Strongly conveys exhaustive effort.
あらゆる手段を尽くして探した。
We searched using every possible means.
Literally 'to exhaust one's hands', meaning to try every available method. Common in both speech and writing.
手を尽くしたが、解決できなかった。
We tried everything, but couldn't solve it.
Idiom meaning 'to try every possible means' or 'to leave no stone unturned'. More emphatic than 手を尽くす.
八方手を尽くして資金を集めた。
We left no stone unturned to raise funds.
To convey a sense of diligent, persistent effort, often over time.
Verb meaning 'to endeavor' or 'to make an effort'. Often used in the form 〜ように努める (to strive to do something).
遅れないように努めます。
I will make an effort not to be late.
彼は問題の解決に努めた。
He endeavored to solve the problem.
Verb meaning 'to strive' or 'to work hard at'. Implies diligent, sustained effort.
Idiom meaning 'to take pains' or 'to make a great effort'. Literally 'to break one's bones'.
一生懸命 is an adverb describing the manner of doing something with great effort, while 全力を尽くす is a verb phrase meaning to exhaust all one's power. Use 一生懸命 to modify an action, and 全力を尽くす when you want to emphasize the completeness of the effort.
一生懸命走った。
I ran as hard as I could.
全力を尽くして走った。
I ran with all my might.
Direct translations like すべての努力をしている sound unnatural. Use the set phrases provided instead.
I am devoting myself to research every day.
彼はその計画に骨を折った。
He took great pains over the project.